University of York

University of York

Bachelor of Arts Honours in German and Spanish Language with a year abroad

The Bachelor of Arts Honours in German and Spanish Language with a year abroad in Language and Culture Studies is offered by University of York.

Program Length: 4 YEARS.

Bachelor of Arts Honours in German and Spanish Language with a year abroad offered by the University of York

Immerse yourself in languages through the study of society and culture.

Combine the study of German and Spanish with investigations into the nature of language itself. Spend a year abroad studying, working or teaching in Spanish and German-speaking countries, consolidating your language skills.

You'll be taught in German and Spanish, so you'll become confident using your languages as a means of communication, and for critical thinking. You'll gain an understanding of German and Spanish culture and societies which will underpin your abilities as a high-level communicator in both languages.

Your communication skills will be complemented by investigations into the science and structure of language through a range of linguistics modules. The course has flexibility in terms of how much German, Spanish and linguistics content you study over the four years. By the end of your studies, you will be equipped for a range of professional roles that call for expertise in language, linguistics and culture.

Course content
During your degree, you'll study modules in German, Spanish and Linguistics.

Your language modules will explore the society and culture of German and Spanish-speaking societies and you'll be taught almost exclusively in the target language. These modules will help you to develop the cultural and linguistic knowledge you'll need to become a high-level communicator in each language.

Your linguistics modules will help you understand the nature of language itself: how it is structured, how it has evolved, and how we use and understand it within our society. These modules will enable you to think critically and approach your studies from an analytical point of view.

In your second and final years, you can tailor your degree to your interests. You can:

  • study German, Spanish and linguistics in equal amounts throughout your degree
  • focus more on your two languages, reducing the amount of linguistics you study
  • choose to study one language predominantly in your final year (this usually happens if you've only spent time in one country for your year abroad).

Study Spanish or German from scratch

You can choose to study Spanish or German ab initio, meaning you don't need to have to have any knowledge of the language before you arrive. You'll study with other ab initio students during your first year, and will focus on improving your language skills, before joining the post-A level students during your second year. You'll study fewer linguistics modules, to allow more time for language learning.

Year 1
Languages

You'll take two core modules in each language. These modules focus on developing your fluency, accuracy and communication expertise.

German Language and Society I
German Grammar
Spanish Language and Society I
Spanish Grammar
You can take either German or Spanish ab initio (not both).

If you are taking Spanish ab initio, you will follow an intensive, fast-track programme with more Spanish and less linguistics.

Ab Initio Spanish Language Skills
Ab Initio Spanish Language and Society
Ab Initio Spanish Grammar
If you are taking German ab initio, you will follow an intensive, fast-track programme with more German and less linguistics.

Ab Initio German Language Skills
Ab Initio German Language and Society
Ab Initio German Grammar

Linguistics

You will take two core linguistics modules, or one if you are taking German or Spanish ab initio (you can choose which to take; you'll take the other during your second year).

Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology
Introduction to Syntax

Academic integrity module
In addition to the above you will also need to complete the online Academic Integrity module.

Year 2
Languages

You'll study two compulsory language modules in German and Spanish.

German Language and Society II
Spanish Language and Society II
You will choose one more module in each language from the following options:

The Berlin Republic
Historical Memory in the Spanish-speaking World
Contemporary German-speaking Film
Hispanic Culture Through Film
Your studies will focus on issues of culture and society in the German and Spanish-speaking worlds. You will develop skills in critical analysis of sources and communicate your findings using German and Spanish in different registers. You'll tackle questions such as:

How do Germans view their role in a democratic society and what is their relationship with 'Vater Staat'?
How did historical events shape the Germany we know today?
Why is the Spanish Civil War still a difficult topic in Spain?
What is the relationship between the human rights movement and democratisation in Latin America?

Linguistics

You'll study one core linguistics module (if you're ab initio, you'll study the first year core module that you didn't take in your first year).

Introduction to Language Acquisition
You can elect to study one further module in languages or linguistics. We can offer you unparalleled coverage of the field, with modules taught by world-leading academics in the core areas of syntax, phonetics and phonology, semantics, and sociolinguistics, and in sub-fields including second language acquisition, phonological development, and historical-comparative linguistics. 

Year 3
Year abroad

You can divide the year abroad between two locations, a German-speaking country and a Spanish-speaking country, or you can choose to spend the whole year in one location. We assist you in setting up overseas university study, teaching or work placements, and offer guidance on all aspects of the year. See our current year abroad pages for more information.

You'll complete two essays while on your year abroad. These are assessed on a pass/fail basis and do not contribute to your final degree grade. 

Year 4
You'll study two core language modules in your final year (if you spent the year abroad in a place where only one of your languages is spoken, you'll need to take only one core module). These are designed to consolidate your critical skills through in-depth research and analysis. By this stage in your degree, you'll be able to demonstrate oral and written fluency, as well as accurate language use in its social and cultural contexts. In each of these modules, you will write a research essay of around 3000 words. 

German Language and Society III
Spanish Language and Society III
You'll choose four option modules from languages or linguistics in addition to the core modules. Most linguistics modules require you to have taken certain modules in your first and second year. In some of these, you can choose to focus on a language of your choice. You can also elect to write a dissertation that is linked to a subject area that you are studying - this is counted as an option module by itself. 

The list belows demonstrates some of the modules that are running this year:

Language modules

Translation: Methodology and Practice (German)
Contemporary German-speaking Film
Modern German Language
Translation: Methodology and Practice (Spanish)
Hispanic Culture Through Film
Latinos in the USA
Independent Study in German
Independent Study in Spanish

Linguistics modules

Forensic Phonetics
Advanced Topics in Phonetics and Phonology
Language as Action
Multimodality: Language and the Body
Psycholinguistics
Advanced Topics in Psycholinguistics
Neurolinguistics: Language and the Brain
The Linguistics of Consumerism
Forensic Linguistics
Psycholinguistic Approaches to Second Language Acquisition
Applied Phonological Theory: Clinical Data in English
The Structure of a Language: Modern Hebrew
English Place-names across Time and Space



Locations where you can study Bachelor of Arts Honours in German and Spanish Language with a year abroad en University of York


Schools where you can study Bachelor of Arts Honours in German and Spanish Language with a year abroad en University of York

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